Other families can find solace in the new book, 'Hope Throughout Cancer'

Mike Greenlar, The Post-StandardHayley Kairewich at Lakeland Park Beach in Cazenovis. Hayley along with her two siblings has published a book "Hope Throughout Cancer" dedicated to her mother Cheryl Faubert, who had a 13 year battle with cancer.

By R. Patrick Corbett
Contributing writer

Hayley Kairewich and her brother and sister hope to sell 100 copies of their inspirational book, “Hope Throughout Cancer,” by the anniversary of the date their mother, Cheryl Faubert, died of breast cancer on Aug. 1, 2009.

The book is a compilation of stories sent in by 37 cancer survivors or cancer patients and their relatives, friends and medical professionals. The stories include memories of those who lost the fight to cancer, the impact the disease has on families and the experiences of survivors. Some stories are sad, most are hopeful and a few are funny, said Kairewich, 29, of Chittenango.

Their share of the proceeds, $5.91 per book, is being donated to Cancer Connects Inc., a support organization created by Hematology-Oncology Associates of Central New York, a medical practice with offices in East Syracuse, Camillus and Syracuse.

Kairewich and her sister Heather Merolle, 38, of Latham in Albany County, and her brother CJ Faubert, 27, of California, started gathering the stories on Facebook last September and they self-published the book in June online at lulu.com. They are only a few books away from their sales goal, she said.

CancerConnects trains cancer survivors as volunteer mentors to guide new cancer patients through the process of treatment and recovery. Kairewich said her mother was among the first mentors in the program in 2007, when it was known as Unique Connections.

The three siblings had considered publishing on the anniversary of their mother’s death, but then accelerated the publication because two families who submitted stories lost family members recently to cancer. “We wanted them to have closure,” Kairewich said. “And we wanted to get this out to help people.”

She said a few of their friends and other family members submitted stories for the book, but most of the stories came from people they met for the first time on their Facebook page, named for the book title.

One of those she knew well is Dr. Richard Cherny, one of several medical professionals who submitted a story. Cherny was Cheryl Faubert’s doctor at the end of her battle against the disease, a role that brought his relationship with her full circle.

The Faubert family lived “around the corner” from the Cherny family in Cazenovia and they saw each other when they attended St. James Church on Sundays, he said.

“We grew up with his children,” Kairewich added.

Cherny said in his entry for the book he admits that he always has been amazed at the strength of will people have when faced with “something as terrible as a diagnosis of cancer.”

He said the effort that Faubert’s children put into writing the book “is not only a great way to honor the memory of their mom, but it can help others find some solace in their troubles.”

Cherny joined the Hematology-Oncology Associates in 1998, but he didn’t become Faubert’s attending physician until near the end of her battle against cancer in 2009.

He said Faubert’s original cancer doctor died while she was in remission from the disease, and he was happy and honored to fill the role vacated by his colleague. Additionally, he said, Faubert felt comfortable having a physician she had known many years.

“We want to let people know they’re not alone in their cancer journey,” Kairewich said. “We want people to talk about their experiences to give others hope and strength to continue with their daily lives.”

The book:
To buy “Hope Throughout Cancer” go to lulu.com and type the book’s name in the search box.
The price is $15.
The paperback book is normally shipped within three to five days.
The charity
CancerConnects Inc. is a nonprofit group supported by Hematology-Oncology Associates of Central New York, P.C. It trains cancer survivors as volunteer mentors to guide new cancer patients through the process of treatment and recovery.